Henry de Bromhead is confident Sizing Europe is over his problems ahead of his reappearance in the Maplewood Developments Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday.

The six-year-old demolished his rivals in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle in January and all appeared to be going according to plan in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham before he stopped quickly after jumping the second-last.

"He was lame behind the day after the Champion Hurdle and we found that he had just strained the sacroiliac joint," De Bromhead told At The Races.

"We've had a lady work on it ever since and he seems to be moving absolutely spot-on now, so we are very pleased.

"He is filling out all the time and he is certainly a bigger and stronger horse this season.

"Andrew McNamara was down schooling (on Tuesday morning) and seemed pleased with him, so he will certainly keep the ride for Sunday's race - but I do think the horse will come on a lot for the run."

Sizing Europe will face a maximum of five rivals at the weekend, with Cuan Na Grai, Hardy Eustace and Won In The Dark standing their ground at the confirmation stage.

Noel Meade has left in Jered and Harchibald, although the former looks the more likely contender at this stage.

"The way the weather is going, I would say Harchibald is most unlikely to run," said Meade.

"He might do if the ground is decent, but we will just have to see.

"Jered is in good form, though, and, all being well, the plan is for him to run."

More news from SportingLife.com

Full racecards from SportingLife.com

Fast and full results from SportingLife.com